Episode 6 Antiques Road Trip

The nation's favourite antiques experts, £200 each

and one big challenge...

I'm going to declare war.

Why?

Who can make the most money buying

and selling antiques as they scour the UK?

-Can you make it...?

-No.

The aim is to trade up and hope each antique turns a profit.

-Ouch!

-But it's not as easy as you might think

-and things don't always go to plan.

-Push!

So, will they race off with a huge profit or come to a grinding halt?

BOTH: We're doomed!

This is the Antiques Road Trip.

Our two experts this week

are auctioneers Thomas Plant and Paul Laidlaw.

Thomas is a returnee Road Tripper.

He's done it all before.

I just want to know what sells well at your auction house.

But this is Paul's first Road Trip.

However, this passionate auctioneer, trader and collector runs a fine

auction house in Carlisle.

How does it cope with being a Scot when you're in the heart of England?

I feel very much...

-a missionary zeal...

-Really?

..to bring civilisation to...

So we've got an educator, an entertainer

and a superb 1974 Alfa Romeo Spider.

-You're talking pants.

-You're right, you're right.

Our boys will cruise from Skipton,

over the Derbyshire hills

and on to Cambridgeshire before heading south,

ending their trip in Pewsey, Wiltshire.

On this leg, we're rolling into Skipton

and heading for an auction in Sheffield.

The Skipton Antiques Centre awaits our boys.

Thomas, I don't know if you can answer this question.

Virgin to this game, this particular show.

First time. Look in the mirror, look in the mirror!

If I blow my budget in this venue,

what do I do tomorrow?

-Is that within the rules?

-You can do whatever you want. It's up to you.

-Let's do it. Yeah?

-Yeah.

A place like this has a shop caretaker,

but the actual antique owners are not on site.

Shame, really, as there's less of a chance to do some good deals.

So, looking to get ahead, Thomas is ringing the Sheffield Auction House.

I've been given a tip off, the dealer is here for this pitch,

so I can look at this.

Antique boot pull - £11.

And of course, if you had a rather big breakfast,

kedgeree and the like, a kipper thrown in for fun,

you couldn't really bend over very much if your tummy was in the way,

so you'd loop it in and pull your boots up with it.

What's nice, look at this here.

I really want it for a fiver.

Not 11 quid!

I'll ask!

It's a very quirky boot hook

and Thomas spots a well-made, possibly Edwardian, toy.

This is an ebonized cannon.

This is carved out of ebony.

Oh, this is wonderful.

God, any old boy would love this.

What does it say on the ticket? What do you call this one here?

And here's the owner, Melanie, who's come to help.

This is a huge Victorian gilt agate brooch.

And look at that.

See that beautiful jewel, there?

Thomas, you're going to have to use all your charm.

What is your best on these three objects here?

The boot pull, the cannon and the brooch?

-35.

-£35, for the lot?

-Yeah.

Do you think you'd be able to?

I was thinking more like £30.

-No.

-No?

What about 32?

33.

-32.50.

-All right, then.

Absolute bottom line.

-Is that your absolute bottom line?

-32, I'll knock the 50p off.

-£32.

That's a deal. Thank you very much.

Downstairs, Paul is beginning to feel the pressure.

Frustration.

OK, I'm still looking.

As I said, I'd love to find interesting material

but I've got to find commercial first.

He's spotted a sword.

With all his military knowledge,

he's going to want a very good deal here.

Quite a nice one, that. It's 1920, I believe.

French blade?

French blade, yeah. Silver Horn, that, Birmingham, 1923.

So, what do we have here?

We have a sword stick, does what it says on the tin, a walking stick

with a concealed sword blade

and a very rapier-like blade.

Why would one carry such a thing? Personal protection.

So you are the gentleman about the back streets of London in the late

19th century, you may be a target for the robbers

and this is a line of defence.

So...

(COCKNEY ACCENT) 'And over your money, sir.'

I'll have none of that!

Cos you know what, they don't like it up 'em!

Here, now, no clowning about, forget the price,

-what's the death?

-£90?

-Nah.

What's the price on this?

The price on that...

I know exactly what this is as well. That's no money, surely.

That's only £45.

I need a good price on both of them.

The death on these has to be 110...

..and that's the absolute death.

He now wants to add to that deal, though.

Police cape, can we talk about that?

It's worth 20 quid in an auction.

What are we doing it for, then?

£120.

Right on the money, isn't it?

So, now the deal is the sword, the bayonet and the cape for 120,

but Paul still isn't happy. He wants a freebie thrown in.

If I give you 120,

have you got any real stickers in here,

that you'd just say, "Tell you what, they're a pain in the neck.

"I've made my money on that, take them with the deal as a sweetener."

That's thinking, that's radical, different.

You've got me thinking now. I'm sure there might be

something I can throw in.

How about one of those holy water stoups?

How about I stick my neck out?

I need that in with the deal.

I'll throw you one of those in for 120.

-I can't say no.

-Right.

-Be interesting to see if that pans out.

-It will, won't it?

-Wish me luck.

-I wish you the best of luck.

Cheers, my man.

-Thomas Plant.

-How's it going, Paul?

-I don't know, I don't know, I've gambled.

-Have you?

Are you feeling lucky, punk?

Do I feel lucky, punk?

I always worry.

Happy with his wares,

Paul is heading to the stunning village of Saltaire.

He's heard it's the home of a rather unusual museum -

a fantastic collection of harmoniums.

These instruments were first invented in Paris in 1845.

This particular collection was started in 1976

by husband and wife, Pamela and Phil Fluke. Must be lucky!

And they haven't stopped since.

These special organs produce sound by pushing air through a variety

of reeds, and different-sized reeds determine the different notes.

When did you get into this wonderful building?

I've been here for about 26 years, because we've got

28 in the house, with four children, so we thought we had

better do something about this for the children's sake,

if nothing else.

This very grand organ dates back to the early 1860s.

So, you have all these different sounds on it, you see.

And then on the bottom keyboard you have...

The bellows are good. You don't need to pump too hard.

Now I know more about the mechanicals and the acoustics,

but as an item of cabinet making,

it just cries out rich beyond belief.

It does and making music for the rich and famous really at that time.

This is Elton John's residence, isn't it, in 1865?

It will have been, yes!

But it's not all glitz and glamour.

I referred to the fact they were actually used everywhere,

one of the things you said was that there was

the use maybe in the trenches,

and, of course, you couldn't use a big instrument in the trenches.

You'd have a very small, portable instrument like this.

This was used by Capt Beddington Behrens in the trenches

in the First War.

How utterly poignant is that?

So we've got, dare I say, decadence in 1862,

and in 1914-'18,

the contrast with Capt Beddington Behrens.

He survived and so did his little portable harmonium.

They'll have used it for services and used it while

they were trying to keep their spirits up.

-If you see any harmoniums, you will let us know?!

-You rest assured!

-I know the man.

-Cheers. Thanks, Paul.

-Bye. Thank you!

While Paul's been tinkling with the ivories,

Thomas is heading south.

From Skipton, he's heading down the road to Hebden Bridge,

a nice meander across the moors to this pretty market town,

nestling in the Upper Calder Valley.

-Hello.

-Hi, there.

-Peter, nice to meet you.

Hello, hello, hello!

Look at that red drop in there.

This Italian Murano vase is only made on one island close to Venice,

so it's highly sought after.

The light coming through it, just look stunning.

He's got £50 on it. I want it to be 25.

Look, there's what they call nibbles, flea bites. That's got to be at least 30 quid off!

Unbelievably, the only dealer not in the shop is the owner of that vase.

-This belongs to a man called Henry.

-Yes.

-Can you give him a call?

Hello, Henry.

Three flea bites. Don't forget that, Trish.

Yeah. He's going to let you have it for 40.

-Less, less, less.

-Can you do a bit better than that? Right, bye.

He said he'll let you have it for 32.

Well, that's a deal then, isn't it?

And what better way to end the day

than speeding along in their super suave Spider!

I'm loving this. Seeing the world. Cruising in a cool car with a dude like yourself.

That's cool. That's excellent.

Our intrepid duo have made an excellent start.

Paul has spent £120 so far.

Thomas has been more careful and spent just £64.

With £80 burning away in his pocket,

Paul heads to Carlton Antiques in Saltaire.

-I shall see you later.

-Buy something decent. But not too good!

-Oh, yeah!

-You spend some money!

-All right.

Paul heads to Carlton Antiques, with Malcolm in attendance.

-Hello, Paul.

-Pleased to meet you.

Pigeon timing clock. Northern counties. Pigeon fancier? I don't know.

It is what it is. I see no issues.

So, quirky collectible, but here's the punchline.

It's priced at £16.

How badly wrong can I go at £16?

I'll bank that. That might be all right.

May not be sexy, but it may be profitable.

I think it'll be difficult not to make profit on that.

But not satisfied with just one find, Paul is off to hunt down more.

Pigeon timing clock, pigeon timing clock. I think there's money in it.

But there's one other thing I walked past. Bakelite folding cake stand.

What's more, there's a cake revolution a-happening and cup cakes are all the rage.

Malcolm, there are two things I'd like to discuss with you.

One, pigeon timing clock.

-Yes.

-OK?

And over here, what I want to buy is the smart period Bakelite piece.

But you and I both know in a general sale, it's going to be between 30 and 50.

And at 40, that's a gamble. You can't make a phone call?

That couldn't be 30? I don't want to waste your time, but if there's any glimmer of hope...

I don't think you've a chance at 30, but I can make a phone call.

-Ask the question.

-I will.

-Thanks very much. Appreciated.

Right, OK. No, is the answer.

Bye.

He would be happy with 40, but he thinks that's...

-I'm no disputing that. 16, what's that now to buy?

-15. OK.

Thanks very much. Thanks for trying with the cake stand.

Aye, aye. I still want the Bakelite and it is priced right.

Do I go all in, blow the money?

That's a bit risky to blow nearly your whole budget, but I do love a gambler.

What the hell! Life's too short!

Yup. Yup. That's the right decision.

I'm having that.

So, with five items bought, ready for the auction, Paul can now relax.

In total, he's spent £175, nearly all his budget.

-Thanks very much.

-You're welcome.

As for Thomas, he is supposed to be cruising in the Alfa Romeo

from Saltaire to Cawthorne.

Well, he hasn't got that far!

Thomas doesn't have much luck with classic cars.

Let's hope there's a spare.

Hmm. Hang on, sometimes there's... Oh, look at that!

What do we have here? A spare. I'm not just a pretty face.

Time to get in the pit stop and get greasy.

When I first passed my test, and being a farmer's son,

my Dad made us change tyres.

Immediately.

Look at that dirty great big hole!

Impressed, huh?

I think we're done.

Formula 1, they do it in seconds, but they've got all the gear.

Thomas Plant does it in 20 minutes.

Who knew Thomas was so handy, eh?

And his shirt is impressively unruffled.

Finally, Cawthorne here we come.

In this traditional south Yorkshire village,

Karen Rowe runs Cawthorne Antiques.

Hello. Karen, very nice to meet you.

I want to have a good scoot around first.

And then focus in.

Paul Laidlaw, you'd better watch out cos I'm here to declare war!

Oh, Lord! I'm not sure that Paul actually is that fussed.

I've got to behave myself.

Buying something to try and make a profit on.

There's a little box.

It's lovely. It's sweet. It's such nice work.

It's got these little enamel pebbles.

It's beautifully made

and selling for £35. It was probably used as a spice box.

That's my top item so far.

It's not the most valuable, but you could phone them

and find out what their very best is.

-Yes.

-Thank you.

Now, that box...

It's silver gilt.

Silver gilt means it's silver with a gold plate around it.

It's really nice.

Having a nice time, Paul?

If I got it for 25, that would be really good. I reckon it can make 50.

Thank you, bye.

-25 on the little box.

-25?

Really? Oh.

Yeah, I'll have that. Definitely.

No question.

Tremendous last buy, Thomas. Now, go and find Paul.

He's been waiting a while.

-Here he comes. Honey, I'm home!

-How are you doing, Paul?

Are you taking this seriously enough? You're not rushing, are you?

-I bought one item.

-What?!

-I thought you were getting the next ten or 15 in!

-No, one item.

Paul, today I've been a bit of a mechanic. I've replaced a tyre.

-What?

-You've got to feel for me.

-There, man. Right there, seriously.

Start the car then!

Thomas and Paul can postpone their first auction showdown no longer.

Thomas kept his cards close to his chest

and spent £89 on five auction lots.

The Edwardian model cannon, the Victorian oval brooch,

the bone handle boot pull, the Murano glass vase,

and the silver gilt oval box.

Meanwhile, Paul shopped bravely, spending a full £175,

also on five lots.

The vintage police cape,

the First World War bayonet paired with the 19th century swordstick,

the neo-classical sconce,

the Bakelite cake stand and the pigeon timing clock.

Coo! Coo-coo!

Auction day is waiting down the road for Thomas and Paul.

With the wind in their hair, they've travelled far and wide from Skipton

and now, their booty is about to go under the hammer in Sheffield.

-Do you sail, Paul?

-I do not.

Close to the wind sometimes, but only metaphorically.

And doing the honours today is Sheffield Auction Gallery.

Hope you're feeling lucky, boys.

Well driven, Paul. We're here. Sheffield Auction Galleries.

-How are you feeling, Thomas?

-I have been having sleepless nights.

-Plant, must try harder next time.

-Must try harder, Laidlaw!

Oh, stop worrying, Thomas. Maybe Robert Lee the auctioneer liked your stuff. Maybe not.

-I'm Thomas.

-Have our pieces turned up? Everything all right?

-Intact so far. We just need the buyers here for them.

-Have they warmed the cockles of your heart?

The swordstick and the bayonet usually do good money.

The minute I saw this man, I thought, "What a lovely guy! He knows his stuff!"

-Who do you think's going to win?

-I don't like to look at you in the face, Tom.

But I think it's going to be Paul.

Oh, well. Never mind.

Now, take your pews, everyone. The show's about to begin.

First up, and one that should get Thomas off to a good start,

is his Italian Murano vase.

277A, an Italian Murano glass sommerso vase.

Square shape. Very tactile.

Nice item, this. Forced to start the bid at £20. 22? 25? 28.

-I'm out. Who's on 30? 28. £30. 32. 35. 38.

-Go on!

Too soon to be out. £35, on my left, it's a standing bid. Anybody else?

-38?

-Go on!

-40, sir?

38, so far. It must be 40 to progress. £40, he's back in. 42.

-For me! For me!

-45, he's weakening. 42. Anybody else for 45?

-It's got to go. Over at 42? Hammer's going to drop.

-Go on!

All done at 42?

He's got it.

£10 profit before commission. That isn't bad.

But now for the dreaded fake stone stoop.

Lot number 318A, composition neo-classical sconce stoup.

What a beauty! £20 for it.

-What?!

-Fiver away. Quickly. £5 for it.

Five bid in white. Let's have eight elsewhere. Come on, surely.

Neo-classical. Must be eight to progress.

-Surely £8. I feel like I'm giving this away.

-Well, it's free!

-Somebody else gave it away!

-Bid at five. £8. Ten, sir. 12, please?

15. 18.

15, top of the shop, original bidder. Anybody else?

It's got to go. All done at £15.

It's gone.

Unbelievable. £15 profit for Paul's freebie.

How do you feel about that?

-Relieved.

-What do you mean, relieved?!

-Grateful. There is a God!

-Grateful?! It was free!

-You get your reward in Heaven!

-Thomas!

You should say some prayers!

It's your silver gilt box next.

Lot number 362A, Continental silver gilt enamel oval box.

-Circa 1900. What a beauty.

-Thank you.

-Yeah.

£30 for it? £30 for it?

Come on. 30, you've got to kick us off. 32 on that, elsewhere.

32, lovely little box. This patch pill box.

You can put your rings in it. Studs, dressing table.

It's a good lot, this one. Anyone else, 32? There is. 35. 38. 40.

42. 45. 48. 45, young man's bid so far.

All done at £45.

So you were right all along, Thomas. Well done.

-What did you make? 20 quid?

-£20.

-What?!

Now for the pretty agate brooch.

£20 is the opening bid. It must be 22 to move on. 20 so far.

Nice brooch.

Got to be 22, elsewhere, to move on. £20.

Anybody else want it for 22? It's got to go. 22.

Looking for 25 now.

-I'll take it slowly. Anybody else?

-Thank you.

22, it's going to sell at 22. Hammer's going to drop.

Not bad. You made £12.

Bought for just £20,

next up is the police cape.

Where are the fashionistas in the house?

Give us a twirl, Anthea.

Vintage police cape. What a beauty!

Got big pockets to put the big truncheons.

-Very fashionable.

-Forced to start the bid at 15. 18. £20. 22.

I'm out. Who's on 25? I'm out too soon. 25. 28. £30.

32. 35, sir? 38.

-40. 42.

-Doesn't strike me as a Portobello Road fashionista.

50. 55.

Was it a bid, madam? 55? 60...

-65.

-You did well.

-60 with the gentleman, so far.

Anybody else want to join in? Are we done?

Yes! Must have been the way it was modelled. £40 profit. 'Ello, 'ello.

For the military men out there, Paul's sword

and bayonet were bought for £100.

Nice little military lot, this one.

Lots of interest on commission. £90 is your opening bid.

95. 100. 105.

110 on commission.

Anybody else with 115? All done at 110. Finally, at £110.

Can't grumble. It's not a loss.

Let's hope the pricey cake stand has more luck.

Looks mahogany from here, but it's actually Bakelite. £50 for it?

Unusual thing. 30 is your opening bid. 32, I'm after. 32. 35. 38.

£40. 42. Central bid at 42. Must be 45 to go on. All done at £42?

Hammer's going to drop.

Not a massive winner, but crumbly.

No shame. I would have liked money in the bank.

Lot number 457A. Edwardian bone and steel boot pull. With a bone handle.

-Marked Made In England. That will be quality!

-Obviously!

£20 for it. Eight is your opening bid. Ten, I'm after.

Must be a tenner.

Anybody for ten? Ten bid. Let's go 12. Let's go 12, surely.

-Nice handle!

-Anybody in for 12?

-Very nice turned handle.

Bidding up to 12. Somebody else. It's got to go. All done at ten?

We're finished at ten?

Well, you've doubled your money, Thomas.

Now the clock. One of three in the sale.

Is there such a thing as pigeon overload?

-£20 for it.

-Go on.

-Tenner.

-Oh!

-Ten bid. 12. 15. 18.

20. 22.

Too soon to be out. £20 with the lady so far.

A pigeon did about £16,000 the other day. £20.

22. The pigeon will be dead before this. All done at £20.

202, hammer's going to drop. Are we finished?

You just scraped home there, Paul.

Now the final lot. And the one Thomas has been dreading.

A quirky unusual little thing. We've got blast-off at £20!

Who's on 22? 22. Let's have 25. Let's have 25, surely.

Front row at 22, only. Good little thing. Anybody else at 25?

It's got to go. Anybody else interested? All done at £22?

Finished. Is that it? At £22.

After the trashing Paul gave it, at least it made a fiver.

Tom, I've got one word. Phew!

Loosening the tie! Why don't you go open neck? Down to the navel!

-Just undo that corset for me.

-No!

-Silly beasts!

Thomas started this leg with £200.

After auction costs, he's made a small profit.

So Thomas ends up with £226.62.

Paul also began with £200, steamed ahead with his cape

and made a slightly bigger profit.

Paul's got £227.54 to take out on the road again.

A healthy start and they're just getting warmed up.

-Come on! Where to now?

-No idea.

-You're navigating!

-Where's my map?

In fact, they're going to be travelling down to Derbyshire.

-I like the whip as well. I thought about whipping Laidlaw with it!

-That would be good.

I'm totally chancing it now with this one. You're going to laugh at this. Or slap me in the face!

That's coming up later.

But first, let's have a quick reminder of the expertise

Paul and Thomas bring to the next leg of the road trip,

driving their sporty, nifty Alfa Romeo.

She's driving very well today. Just waiting for the next flat tyre.

Thomas, a top auctioneer in Newbury, loves the finer things in life,

but does tend to dither and get a bit distracted.

Stan or Ollie? Paul has a rather more direct approach.

'And over your money, sir!

With a degree in maths and physics, he likes to get to the money and drive a hard bargain.

From Skipton, the boys are racing down the backbone of Britain,

from the Yorkshire Dales, through Derbyshire, on to Huntingdon,

before heading south and finally reaching Pewsey.

Both of the boys started off with £200.

Paul's high spending paid off, and he's just ahead, with £227.54.

Not bad for his first ever Road Trip.

Meanwhile, Thomas was more cautious.

-And that was reflected at the auction.

-For me!

But he still made a profit. And has £226.62 to spend today.

But I'm sure he's got a game plan.

I plan on giving you a very good run for your money

and I hope you do for me.

-God loves a trier.

-I'm a sensitive little flower. I'm a plant.

You certainly are. On this leg of the trip, Thomas and Paul will begin in beautiful Bolsover

and race through the countryside towards auction in Stamford.

Bolsover has a striking castle watching over the town since the 12th century.

About time we bought some antiques.

First up, a trip to the pub. Or is it the Bolsover Antiques Centre?

-Need a pint!

-A bit early.

Never too early for Thomas!

And something has caught Paul's eye as well.

There's a Troika coffin vase. I'm going to ask to see that because that's £54.

And that looks like a no-brainer from here.

Troika pottery became famous in the '60s. Each piece was unique,

with its tactile, textured surfaces and wonderful abstract designs.

It's iconic material.

You can see why it's got a hardcore following.

Some of it can make telephone numbers.

Just as well the vase owner isn't there! The shop manager will have to ring him.

Troika vase. What's your very best on it, then?

Your coffin-shaped vase. 49. Right.

While Paul pauses for thought, Thomas is scouring the bargains.

This is wonderful.

This is a piece of art deco glass from about the 1920s.

They've got '30s on here. It's not, this is '20s. It's just beautiful.

These slender women.

Indeed! The glass has been painstakingly decorated

and enthusiastically polished.

Really quite beautiful.

BUT it's well and truly broken.

If this wasn't broken, I would imagine that being worth £700-900.

Sadly, the severe damage and macabre repair work make this piece

a big risk, even at half price.

-Is the owner here?

-Erm, he's not actually.

25, I'd take it. I'd go to 26.

Would you go to 25?

All right. Bye-bye.

You can have it for 26.

£26. Yes.

I must be bonkers.

It's a piece of art, this is.

And it's not just Thomas battling with the dealers.

Paul is going in for the kill. You watch.

Is there any possible way that you could go down to 40?

Bye.

He'll come down one more pound to 44.

-Sold for £44,000!

-Great, that's it then.

Thanks very much, that's excellent, Carol. Appreciate that.

Paul, having bagged his Troika vase for £44,

seems to think it's time for tea.

How crazy is our cannon teapot?

Now, between the wars, novelty teapots with a military theme

were not uncommon, but not seen this form before.

Artillery piece, the big wheel there,

and you see the shell forms the handle here.

It's got to stand out and it's uncommon for sure. £35.

I'd want it to be 20.

Right. Off to see those lovely ladies again.

They seem to be on your side, Paul.

You can have it for 20.

Can you come with me? There's something about you!

I'll travel round with you!

And he's on a roll!

Next, he spots an art deco silver-plated bowl.

When does it date to?

1920s, '30s. I'm just going to make an offer.

No harm done, the worst they can do is say "You're having a laugh!"

-After this, I'm out of your hair.

-Don't push your luck.

Is there any way on God's earth...?

I'm looking vulnerable, can you see this?

This is my soft side. A tenner.

-Can't you go a little bit more than that?

-15.

-Yeah, 15.

How's about I meet you in the middle and I give you,

you're going to laugh at this, or just slap me in the face,

-£12 and a wee polish.

-14 would cover my cost.

-And I love this. £14 is a deal.

-Thank you.

But it needs to be like a mirror.

THEY LAUGH

£14 and a polish. Three deals in the bag.

Hats off to Paul, and hat on for Thomas.

Paul's next shop is in the nearby town of Clowne. It's no joke.

-Hello.

-Hello.

-How are you doing?

-All right.

At Church Lane Antiques, owner Philip sets out his stall.

Nice looking, isn't it?

Very smart, very nicely done.

Oh, and I like it, it's not oppressive, it's nice and light.

That is a Bush DAC-90A

Bakelite-cased valve radio.

Classic. Absolute classic. And it's got £5 on it.

£5! Surely not!

Don't often ask this question, it's not in my nature.

Why's your Bakelite radio so cheap?

It's not something I'm dealing. It's a nice decorative piece.

-It's sold.

-Thank you very much.

I think we're as stunned as you are, Paul!

Bodes well for more bargains, though, eh?

Delightful little pair of Japanese bronze vases,

but what makes them is the very naturalistic depiction

of this little, is it a sparrow or a finch?

I've got 'em in at 195.

I would go with the auctioneer's hedge of 80 to 120,

so I'd be offering £80.

-Mmm...

-But it's a real offer, it's not...

-It's a little...

-It's not game playing.

I have had 'em on a few weeks and I've not got anywhere with them.

-I will.

-OK. Let's do it.

I like 'em and I think you'll do well with them.

Paul's been a shopping machine here in Clowne, and could do with a rest.

But strangely, it's actually Thomas who's taking a break.

How utterly scandalous.

He's heading 17 miles south to Papplewick,

on the outskirts of Nottingham.

Lovely. Look at that red brick lodge house.

Papplewick Pumping Station

is Britain's finest Victorian waterworks,

supplying Nottingham for over 80 years.

And thanks to a number of volunteers and curator Ashley Smart,

it's still in working order.

And what you see before you is two James Watt and Co beam engines.

Wow.

These magnificent machines are a shining example

of Victorian engineering at its height.

They were only restored back to their former glory in 2005,

and wasn't it worth it?

-We can have a quick tour?

-We'll have a quick tour round

-and then we'll have them running for you as well.

-Really?

-Yeah.

Or rather, Dave will.

He's got the knack of how to get these engines in motion.

Well, he should do, as he's been here for 33 years.

-Er, when you're ready, Dave.

-OK. Ready, Les.

Once underway, they produce enough power to pump three million gallons

of water from the wells and out to Nottingham every day.

It's got a lovely smell and that heat!

-Yes, isn't it just such a peaceful sound?

-Yeah, absolutely.

I must admit, on rare occasions I have, on the seat,

dropped off to the soporific sound of this engine.

But what is equally fascinating is the building itself.

The Victorians really knew how to design ornate architecture,

even for humble water pumps.

Nearly every surface is covered with images of animals and plants,

and even includes the windows.

All of the decoration that you see,

it's all celebrating the life-giving properties of fresh water.

-It's wonderful, isn't it?

-Yeah, it's fantastic.

It's Victoriana at its greatest.

These beam engines are 25 feet long and weigh a hefty 13 tonnes each,

but in fact, how they work is surprisingly simple.

OK, so the steam going into the cylinder,

and the cylinder is expanding,

the steam is expanding inside the cylinder.

It's simply pushing, and then pushing down the piston.

To get the steam, what has to happen there?

You've got to make the steam from the coal,

so we need to go to the boiler house, really,

and then you can see how the steam is generated.

-And somebody's shovelling in that...?

-Oh, yes.

-Bit like on a train?

-Very much so.

This is Lawrence, one of our stokers.

Lawrence, that looks like hard work.

-Oh, it's not too bad.

-No.

-Hot work.

-Hot work.

How long does it take to heat up one of these boilers?

We started last Sunday.

Wow.

And when the engines are going,

they can use up to five tonnes of coal a day,

all shovelled in by hand. Are you getting my drift, Thomas?

Do I get a set of overalls?

It's hot work, this!

-Like that, yeah?

-Yeah, fine.

Yeah, not so white any more!

But thank you very much. I've had a great time.

Thomas is sad to leave this great industrial monument,

but needs to find his Road Trip companion,

for a bit of old-fashioned showing off.

-It was wonderful.

-Really good.

-Oh, it was good for the soul, you know?

Took my jacket off, stoked the furnace.

There's got to be a calendar shot in that.

Yeah, you'd have thought so. I would have thought so.

Dawn breaks and our boys are back, motoring through Derbyshire.

So far, Thomas has bought just one solitary item for £26,

whereas Paul went wild, spending £163 on five items.

So, the pressure's on Thomas as we head for sunny Newark-on-Trent.

In 1133, the bishop Alexander the Magnificent - great name -

thought it was important enough

to build a castle here on the banks of the River Trent.

Today, Newark-on-Trent is famed for its antiques fairs,

so our boys arrive like moths to a light.

You feeling lucky?

Thomas' keen eye is drawn to something sparkly for a night out.

These little evening bags from the Deco period. They're quite desirable.

This is silver, it'd be... a lot more money than £39.

After searching the whole shop,

Thomas has found one cabinet full of possibilities.

This is a bone letter-opener,

and in the top here it's got a Stanhope,

and a Stanhope is a little miniature scene printed on a magnifying glass,

and here this says, "The Interior of Hastings Castle, Looking East."

Souvenir ware. £33. Get out these things here.

This is Mauchline ware.

Mauchline ware is from Scotland, and it's quite collectable.

In fact, very collectable. These delicate wooden souvenirs

were made in Mauchline, south west Scotland,

until an abrupt end in 1933,

when the last remaining factory burnt down.

I could build up a little bit of a deal here, you know what I mean?

"Know what I mean?" And the owner is right here, ready, willing and able.

What can we do on these items here?

Going to be a one-off price, 115.

-Would you meet me, sort of, halfway? 100?

-Er, no.

-I'll do another five off.

-110.

-That is...see, that's nearly a third off.

I know, I know, I know, but you know, I'm just, I am trying.

105?

-Go on, then.

-Thank you very much.

Thank goodness for that.

Thomas has bought some things that are all in one piece.

Bidding farewell to Newark,

the Road Trip sets stomachs churning on the way to Melton Mowbray.

Thomas is off to the old bakery, but not to eat all the pies.

He's got £95 still burning in his pocket,

and an appetite for antiques.

Wow! Full of stuff.

This is a rather specialist shop, with lots of knobs and knockers.

No jokes, please.

Lavatory pulls.

By the way, they're not toilet,

that word will never be mentioned in my presence.

They are lavatory pulls.

Sundial. And you say between 1900 and 1930?

-That's right, yes.

-I think that's delightful.

You've got £120 on it. What would you...?

Erm, we'd do that at 100 to you.

Give that one some serious thought.

Yes, concentrate. You're running out of shopping time.

Let's hope I don't end up with a big fat zero

at the end of all my shopping.

Maybe that's telling me something. Buy a whip!

But unfortunately, you don't have quite enough

to buy the crop for £22 and the sundial at £100.

You'll have to give her a good lashing.

I'm still very tempted by this sundial of yours.

-It was 120. You said 100.

-100.

How about 90?

-What about £80?

-Ooh! £80, yeah.

I like the whip, cos I thought about whipping Laidlaw with it.

-I don't know how horsey Stamford is.

-Ooh, Stamford's horsey.

Oh, she's very persuasive, Thomas,

and now she's reduced the crop to £15.

I think I'm going to go for the crop.

I used to ride horses when I was a boy.

Bramble and Chester.

Ooh, those were the days! Now, come back!

Time to settle up for both of them. £80 for the sundial

and £15 for the whip.

-So, shall we do the deal? £95.

-95.

-Thank you very much.

Wonderful.

So, after a slow start,

Thomas has come up from behind and could now be galloping ahead.

Only the auction will decide for sure.

Dear old Thomas Plant finally got going

and spent a cool £226 on five auction lots.

The Art Deco mesh evening bag,

the two-piece Mauchline ware paired with the Stanhope letter opener,

the brass sundial,

the leather riding crop...

..and the very broken Art Deco vase.

Paul Laidlaw took it steady,

spending just £163, also on five lots.

The 1930s silver and glass fruit bowl,

the 1940s Bush radio,

the Magi bronzes vases,

the Troika vase in the shape of a coffin,

and the novelty teapot in the shape of a cannon.

Now, surely our boys have impressed each other?

Plant is back in the game.

Laidlaw, the outlaw...

HE LAUGHS

..with his £5 Bush radio!

Almost a gift, another freebie!

Tom has surprised the hell out of me today.

I did not think he would go for it, and, boy, did he.

To be quite honest with you, I am liking his choices today.

The auction waits for no man.

Thomas and Paul have made good time from Bolsover to Clowne,

Newark to Melton Mowbray, and with their auction hopes

about to meet the bidders of Stamford.

Batemans saleroom is ready and waiting.

First thing's first, some honest truths

from the house valuer, Kate Bateman.

-Whose is the Frankenstein stapled glass vase?

-Mine.

What were you thinking!? Seriously, it's got, like... It's awful.

There's a lovely skip in the corner...

-No way!

-If it doesn't sell...

-No way!

Who's going to win?

You're fairly evenly matched, I have to say,

because you've each got something -

your sundial might do OK, but your vases should be good.

The auctioneer today is David Palmer,

and he's hard to miss - like his waistcoats.

First up is the pretty mesh bag that Thomas bought for £25.

£10, the evening bag.

10, got to be worth a £10 note,

it could be silver or platinum or anything.

-12, sir.

-12 here, with the net at £12,

the net comes in at 12.

15 off you in the room?

15, net at 15.

18, room at 18.

At 18, net go again...

Interesting - Kate has a live bidder on the net.

20, 22? 22.

The gent down here at 25.

-At 25, have another go, sir.

-Go on!

At 25. 28?

Goes then at £25...

-No, surely it's worth more.

-All done at 25.

One more... 25.

Not a good start, Tom, but something else has been sold -

Paul's chair!

Excuse me, could I take your chair, please?

What? You've bought it!?

Oh, my word.

What did you pay for it?

(I'll follow you!)

Such a gent.

The next lot's yours, though, so don't be long,

and get another chair, while you're at it.

(Excuse me. Excuse me, I'm back.)

It's the 1930s silver-plated bowl, Art Deco in style,

and bought very reasonably for £14.

If you saw this in Liberty's shop it'd be like 1,500 quid.

In Stamford let's start at £20. 20 quid for it? 20.

10, then.

-No, no, no.

-Tenner bid, in the middle at 10.

And I sell... 10, 12, 15.

18? 18 on the net.

18, 20. In the room at 20, 22.

25. At 25.

It goes at 25, take eight.

28, 30. At £30.

It goes then at 30, and I sell at £30.

-The bid's in the room at 30.

-Keep going...

Is that it at £30?

-I'll take that, I'll take that.

-Doubled your money.

Very decent sale, a £16 profit before commission,

and we're then straight into another one of Paul's pieces.

His wonderful Bush Bakelite radio, which cost just a fiver.

Ah, the brown one.

The brown ones are particularly rare.

Brown is the new black.

20 I'm bid, at 20 now, and I sell at 20, take two.

Down here at 22. With the internet at 22.

There's nobody else?

-That'll do me nicely, Thomas.

-Can't moan about that, Mr Laidlaw.

Spot-on, Paul - £17 before auction costs, and only your second item.

Here comes Thomas's Mauchline ware and paper knife.

We go straight in at 20 quid.

20, 22, 25, 28, 30,

35, 40,

45, 50,

55, 60,

65, 70,

-75...

-You're there.

At 80. Done then at 80, now.

And five. 90, 95, 100,

110, 120,

130, 140,

150, 160...

At £160 now, against you at 160.

Have another go, sir!

170.

180.

190, 200.

At £200 now.

I tell you what, as it's you, I'll take a fiver - 205?

I know you, too!

At 200, goes then at £200.

You're all out here.

You're out in the room, last chance, sir.

-Go on!

-Finished and done at 200.

Lend him a fiver.

LAUGHTER

£200...

Shocked is all I can say to that.

He's made £120 profit before commission - wow!

-Nice little earner.

-Everything now is all gravy for me.

It's all gravy.

And what could be better than to now have some fun?

Thomas's whip.

Um, put it in at what? 20 quid?

£10. Fiver for the riding whip.

-Oh, no!

-Don't be shy. Five.

With the kinky lady now at six.

Seven, eight, nine.

10, 12, at 12.

-Go on, one more and I break even.

-15.

-Yes, I break even!

18.

I tell you what, I'll throw the bloke in with it!

LAUGHTER

Go 20.

20, sell in the second row at 20.

22, goes then at 22, and I sell at 22.

Oh, wonderful!

Not only did the whip make £7 profit before commission,

but everyone's had a good laugh.

Truly original, it's the cannon teapot,

perfect for a military man - or woman.

I think this is fun. 20 quid for it, straight in, £20.

The teapot, a novelty teapot.

-It's got to be worth it.

-Oh, you cheapskates!

Tenner then. £10.

10, over here at 10.

15, 18...

20. Here at 20.

25 in the room.

In the room at 25. And I sell then at £25.

£25, there you are, it made £5 profit.

You said it, Thomas.

Next it's Thomas's Art Deco glass vase.

Yes, it's a bit broken, but it might just surprise us all.

Put it in at 20 quid, 20?

Madame?

Tenner then.

This doesn't look good.

And I sell at ten, take two.

Can you hear me?

At ten, finished and done then at £10...

12.

12, 15, 18, 20...

At 20, you're out. Done then at £20.

Is that it, nothing on the net?

All done at £20...

Oh dear, that's a loss, but what did you expect, Thomas?

What do you care, Tom?

To be quite frank, what do you care?

Troika next - a unique piece from the iconic Cornish-based factory.

A dream.

£30 for it. £30, 30 I'm bid.

30, take the two now.

Is that it? 32.

Right next to you, sir, 35.

38 here, 40.

At 40. In the light shouted 40, take five again.

Or two, even.

At 40, and two.

42, 45, in the room at 45.

Net, you are out.

Sell then at 45.

Do you want 50?

50, 55.

At 55.

Goes at 55.

At £55, nobody else?

With that profit on the vase, they are practically neck-and-neck.

Very respectable. Well done, Mr Laidlaw.

So, Thomas's last piece - the sundial.

It might make all the difference.

Let's start at 50 quid.

50 I'm bid. 55, 60, 65,

70, 75,

80, 85,

90, 95,

100. At 100 now. At £100.

Take the ten.

Yes, 110, 120.

Done then at 120.

Net, you're out. 130, 140,

At 140.

Keep going, net, 170, 180,

180. Done at 180.

190, 200.

At £200, net, you are out.

At £200.

At £200, then, I sell at 200.

Anyone else?

Finished and done at 200...

Well, after a mediocre auction yesterday, Thomas is storming ahead.

I feel vindicated. I just feel... Oooh!

The final item of the day -

Paul's much-praised, rare Japanese vases,

bought for only £80, worth - hopefully - hundreds!

£50 for them, 50?

20 quid then.

20 I'm bid, 25.

30.

35.

40.

45? 45.

-Stick with it, madam, 50.

-It should be easier than this, surely?

-I sell down here at £50.

-What?!

At 50, anybody else? Nothing on the net?

All done at 50, goes then at 50,

-sell with the lady at 50...

-Oh, no, no...

-I'm going to cry.

-Paul...

-I'm going to cry.

-Paul, that is terrible.

How did that happen?

A crushing final blow which means Thomas has streaked ahead.

I think I'd rather have taken a damn good thrashing from your whip

than sit and watch you make those killings there, Thomas!

Please, gentlemen,

I think we've had enough talk about whips for one day.

Now, how about some totals?

Paul started this leg with £227.54,

and after paying auction costs made a loss of £13.76,

giving him just £213.78, to take back out on the road.

Meanwhile, Thomas has had a splendid day.

He began the leg with £226.62,

and made a tidy profit of £156.94.

Our victor now has £383.56 to carry forward.

-Right, let's go buy some more stuff.

-Let's do it!

-Yeah.

And in high spirits, they set off on their next antique adventure.

Paul is going to get back to basics...

It was there, it was big, it was Brown...

It was furniture!

And, for once, Thomas gets a bonus.

-I can't complain, that's a freebie.

-It's a freebie.

EXCITED LAUGHTER

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd